Week 8 Preview: Key Mid-Week Matches
It’s time for another crucial week of high-stakes matchups. The postseason is closing in. Teams across Nebraska are hosting a variety of tournaments, triangulars, and one-off matches this week. It’s another chance for the state’s title contenders to prove they…
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Continue ReadingIt’s time for another crucial week of high-stakes matchups. The postseason is closing in.
Teams across Nebraska are hosting a variety of tournaments, triangulars, and one-off matches this week. It’s another chance for the state’s title contenders to prove they deserve to pursue a championship. Medals aren’t handed out in October, of course, but this is an important time for teams to fine-tune their winning form.
So, let’s look at this week’s contests that could help determine the future of the 2021 fall season.
Tuesday (10/12)
Elkhorn North vs. Norris
We’ve seen this battle before.
Elkhorn North is one of the only teams that has managed to best Norris this year, as the Wolves took a 2-1 win over the Titans in tournament play a few weeks ago. Now, these two talented teams will face off again, with the Wolves now getting the chance to host this pivotal matchup. Norris is still the clear Class B frontrunner, but Elkhorn North is in a great spot in the standings and can make another jump Tuesday night.
Gretna vs. Elkhorn South
Time to venture over to Class A, where we’ve got another matchup between two of the state’s best.
Gretna and Elkhorn South are smashed together in the Class A wildcard race, and that’s not the only indication that this should be a competitive battle. These two squads had a stellar showing at the LPS Classic a couple of weeks ago, and the ball control will surely be elite on both sides of the net. That’s just quintessential Nebraska volleyball.
Grand Island Central Catholic vs. Columbus Scotus
GICC has had a handful of huge matches lately, and they’ve won almost all of them. Though the Crusaders suffered the season’s first loss against Bishop Neumann last week, the team is still in prime position to make a state title run.
Columbus Scotus is the next challenger. These two teams just faced off in a tournament matchup last Saturday, and GICC emerged with a 2-1 win. Tuesday’s meeting should produce similar excitement.
Bishop Neumann vs. Norfolk Catholic
We just mentioned Bishop Neumann’s big achievement from last week, so let’s give some hype to the next big match for the Cavaliers.
Bishop Neumann is getting set for a C1-C2 matchup with Norfolk Catholic, a team that certainly has the talent to compete with teams above their own class. With both teams looking to make some postseason noise, this should be a good test.
Thursday (10/14)
Omaha Westside vs. Waverly
Speaking of inter-class battles, Class A’s Omaha Westside will welcome Waverly of Class B into the Omaha Metro Thursday night.
There’s obviously going to be some tremendous D1 talent on both sides of the court for this one. The lines between Class A and B can be pretty blurry at times, and I think this contest could help demonstrate that.
Omaha Skutt Catholic vs. Omaha Duchesne Academy
These two have met in plenty of high-stakes duels over the years. Thursday’s iteration will help determine the postseason readiness of these two powerhouses. Skutt already displayed their ever-present firepower in last weekend’s SkyHawk Invite, so this matchup with Duchesne will be a good one.
Lincoln High vs. Lincoln Pius X
Here’s a really underrated matchup in the Star City. Lincoln High has quietly had a breakout season this fall, and they’ll take on one of Lincoln’s perennial powers on Thursday. Like some of the other matches on this feature, great ball control will lead the way in this one.